Newbie - Just purchased a Dci SXE

Hi everybody. I have recently purchased a 2004 Almera SXE Dci.. this is my first ever Nissan and first ever Diesel.. So I hope it turns out to be a good buy.

I have a few questions for my fellow Almera owners. I don't think that I have any issues/faults on the car, but I have nothing to compare it to power and mechanics wise etc but seems ok.

What should I check for on the car to make sure its in good order and doesnt have any common problems lurking underneath. Ive heard that the Turbo's can be weak and that some parts of the fuelling system can clog up with gum/soot etc. I am considering buying some cleaning spray to push through the air induction system and maybe treat the engine via the diesel also to give it a good clear out. Any do's and don'ts here ?

The headlights aren't the brightest. With it being the 2004 model it seem's to have projector lights, am I ok to go HID for a boost ?

Are the Power Chips/Tuning Boxes worth considering to boost power etc or will they cause more issues with turbo failure etc ?

I would like to get the best out of what the car has to offer and maybe upgrade it a little but don't wan't to cause other issues... Im not really looking to do anything else to it really, maybe change the alloys at some stage for 17's but thats about it.
Cheers, Simon
 
Hi everybody. I have recently purchased a 2004 Almera SXE Dci.. this is my first ever Nissan and first ever Diesel.. So I hope it turns out to be a good buy.

I have a few questions for my fellow Almera owners. I don't think that I have any issues/faults on the car, but I have nothing to compare it to power and mechanics wise etc but seems ok.

What should I check for on the car to make sure its in good order and doesnt have any common problems lurking underneath. Ive heard that the Turbo's can be weak and that some parts of the fuelling system can clog up with gum/soot etc. I am considering buying some cleaning spray to push through the air induction system and maybe treat the engine via the diesel also to give it a good clear out. Any do's and don'ts here ?

The headlights aren't the brightest. With it being the 2004 model it seem's to have projector lights, am I ok to go HID for a boost ?

Are the Power Chips/Tuning Boxes worth considering to boost power etc or will they cause more issues with turbo failure etc ?

I would like to get the best out of what the car has to offer and maybe upgrade it a little but don't wan't to cause other issues... Im not really looking to do anything else to it really, maybe change the alloys at some stage for 17's but thats about it.
Cheers, Simon
 

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Welcome to the AOC.

Theres plenty of info on the dci on here, i think most of the info is in the paid member section but there is some in the open forum.

The headlights were a recall item so phone up your local nissan dealership and ask them if its an affected model. You cant legally fit HIDs as they arent self leveling units and they dont have washer jets. Aftermarket HIDs are one of my pet hates of modifying.

Take a look around the forum and make yourself at home.
 
Welcome to the club.

Plenty of members have in-depth knowledge of the DCI* which is probably the best N16 engine to be fair.

Well worth the few quid to become a member for the extra info and discounts.

* particularly Edk and.. well.. Edk. Does anyone else in the club even have a deisel..diesal..desial.. DCI?
 
Welcome to the AOC,

Great find mate, I had been searching high & low for a 3 door DCi, did find it in the end & chuffed to bits with it. Yours looks like a blinging example. I am one of the blokes spoon fed by Ed (The Diesel Master).

I can't tell you how much hundreds I've saved just by becoming a member on this forum seriously that's the first thing you should do, be it technical info, parts or whatever AOC is the place to be!

@Liam I thought you might have got your hands on this DCi.
 
Im not getting a dci, where have you got that idea from? I said IF i get another almera it will be a derv. But im not planning it, im happy with my SR20DE+T for now.
 
Cheers for the comments. Sadly all went pear shaped on Sunday only 1.5 days after picking her up from the seller. After wandering up the M6 Sunday morning it lost power pretty much no boost and when the turbo spools it sounds nasty. I have taken it back to the dealer and thankfully he is a genuine chap who has taken it to his approved garage who confirmed that the turbo is mullered. He still has the car now and has authorised a replacement turbo at his own expense, so I hope to get it back Thurs/Fri this week all in good order. I must admin I like the car but this has taken the shine off it a little. I am a Jap car nut and swear by and boast about their reliability so this is a stinger.. Just hope I don't hold a grudge for long
 
If the turbo hasnt been ordered maybe you could offer to pay the extra if you prefer to get a hybrid turbo this is more reliable than a standard turbo and allows for future power mods if you so wish
 
At least the dealers played it fair & replace it for you, the turbos are a known fault on these. You could contribute alittle & get a hybrid as advised above. But as far as jap reliability goes, don't let this turbo failure take that away as I've seen during my searches these very same dci's on over 200,000, I've seen 1 on the bay not so long ago on 247,000 if that ain't reliable I don't know what is.
 
Only issue with these cars though is the turbo, so once that's sorted itll be solid Japan reliability again :-)

Hybrid turbo will be worth doing i you can. Direct bolt on abduction no modifications or remap is required to run it.

-phone-
 
It is fixed.. should be picking it up tomorrow morning and handing back the evil that is the Citroen Xara Picaso loan car... uurgh French. I feel dirty. Anyway looking forward to picking it up and hope its ok now.. don't want anymore hassle as dropped my motorbike this week.. taking it into bike shop tomorrow for fix up.. doh.
 
Got it back and has had the turbo replaced with a shiney newie/refurbed jobbie. Pulls really well now and feels smoother than before. Im hoping there is nothing else creeping up. Thinking of using it as a towcar and buying a small caravan or trailer tent. I reckon it will make a great towcar.
 
It is fixed.. should be picking it up tomorrow morning and handing back the evil that is the Citroen Xara Picaso loan car... uurgh French. I feel dirty. Anyway looking forward to picking it up and hope its ok now.. don't want anymore hassle as dropped my motorbike this week.. taking it into bike shop tomorrow for fix up.. doh.

*cough cough, "yes, I agree, French cars are definitely, uurgh." :)
 
And yes he did fit a towbar that i had to take off :rolleyes: plus when a guy uses a spike and a lump hammer to pierce a hole in the bodywork for the cable to pass thru iam sure the cars pleased it came to me ....
 
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